The 48th Pennsylvania in the Battle of the Crater: A Regiment of Coal Miners Who Tunneled Under the Enemy

by Jim Corrigan

Overview

In June 1864, Grant attempted to seize the Confederate rail hub of Petersburg, Virginia. General P.G.T. Beauregard responded by rushing troops to Petersburg to protect the vital supply lines. A stalemate developed between the entrenched armies. Union commander General Ambrose Burnside advanced the idea of allowing the 48th Pennsylvania—a regiment from the mining town of Pottsville—to tunnel under Confederate entrenchments and place explosives there. The plan should have guaranteed Union victory, yet the battle turned into an astonishing Confederate triumph.

This thorough history of the Battle of the Crater shows how bickering among Federal commanders allowed shattered Confederate troops the opportunity to regroup, costing the Union an opportunity to capture Petersburg and bring an early end to the war. It also reveals how the cooperation of Confederate commanders helped to avert certain defeat. Appendices include a list of forces in the Battle of the Crater, a table of casualties, and a list of soldiers decorated for gallantry during the conflict.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786469109
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	05/09/2012
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	197
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Writer and journalist Jim Corrigan lives in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. He is a native of Schuylkill County, home of the 48th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface     
A Note on Terminology     

Introduction     
1. Battleground Petersburg     
2. Unconventional Warfare     
3. Tunneling Toward Destiny     
4. Plan of Attack     
5. Twelve Frantic Hours     
6. “Muffled Thunder”     
7. Early Response     
8. Charge of the USCT     
9. Confederate Counterstrike     
10. End Game     
11. Aftershocks     
12. Censure and Commendation     
Epilogue     
Conclusions     

Appendix A. Organization of Engaged Forces     
Appendix B. Casualties Incurred at the Battle of the Crater     
Appendix C. Soldiers Decorated for Gallantry at the Battle of the Crater     
Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

well-written and well-researched...highly recommended”—Civil War News; “a wealth of research...meticulous accounting of details...scholarly and welcome addition”—Midwest Book Review; “highly detailed...engaging account...a very good read”—The NYMAS Review; “very well-written and nicely-illustrated”—The Civil War Courier.

From the Publisher

highly detailed...engaging account...a very good read

The NYMAS Review

"very well-written and nicely-illustrated"

The Civil War Courier

a wealth of research...meticulous accounting of details...scholarly and welcome addition

Midwest Book Review

well-written and well-researched...highly recommended

Civil War News